You were the one who made me laugh when I wanted to, and cry when I didn't. Only you could yell at people for doing something so wrong and so stupid and turn around and make them laugh right afer-unintentionally of course, but that's just the type of person you were. I will never forget the times you stopped in at karate class/ test days included and got in my ass about doing my katas and self defense techniques like my life depended on it. (Because it did-even outside of karate class) You will never know how much it meant to me-you being there. I was always excited and always proud to tell everyone you were MY uncle! Of course everyone thought you were so cute and had crushes lol. 

I will never forget the time you were going to chemo and lost all of your hair and wore a beany. Me and kris were going inside grandmom Billy's house right behind you laughing about something that had happened with school and a friend-you turned around and smacked her thinking she was laughing at you being bald and exclaimed "you think this is funny-this is serious!" I will never forget the hurt look on both of your faces- we were too young to really understand at the time- but as adults, we still look back on that moment and know you didn't mean it and never intened to hurt either one of us-it was a tough time- and we still loved/love you very much.   

I wish you were here longer and I could still see you and spend time with as an adult. I wish my little girl could have known you and I definitely wish you were around to stay in our behinds especially my brother. I think it would have had a great impact and influence on him. Anyhow, know that I love you and still think of you-whether I'm talking to Rabon (he reminds me so much of you!) or picking up a pencil to draw(because you were the best when it came to that) I love you and will always miss you.


Love you niece,

Iyana <3     
  

September 28, 2004

Dear Uncle Rabon,

It was great seeing you again this weekend.  I am not sure exactly what I want to say in this letter to you.  I just wanted to write and let you know that you’re loved and thought about often.  I hate to think about the possibility of losing you and wish there was a quick and easy cure for the cancer.  Although I pray and hope that you make it through this, I don’t want you to suffer and be in pain.  I love you so much, to me it seems you have always been “the man” in our family.  I am constantly asking.. why my Uncle.. why my favorite cousins father… why my grandmothers baby boy.. why my mothers baby brother… why you.. I don’t know but I guess we should all be blessed to have you in our lives. It funny every one always knew what could or could not be done around Uncle Rabon.  I wish every one I know had the opportunity to meet you and see how wonderful you are and this was my thought even before you were sick.  I have been bragging about you for years.  All of my friends know about you, and refer to you as “the fine one”.  You are the funniest man I know, I love to hear your jokes, and love to see the pictures you draw of our family.   I wish my children had the opportunity to be around you in the same way I was.  Kyriel would sure have benefited by being around you.  Kima and I joke about what you would be yelling, when my kids or other kids we are around start acting crazy or not following directions.  I can hear your voice whenever I think about me sucking my fingers… you were the ONLY one I was ever scared to get caught sucking my fingers by.  If I heard your footsteps, I would snatch my fingers out of my mouth.   Even though you are not my father, I always admired you as a father.   I always thought Kima had the best father in the world!  Stern yet funny and fun to be around.  Then look at Rabon, you raised the first person in our family who will be getting a PhD and in engineering at that.  WOW….that boy is smart, fine, funny, sweet and just a cool person to be around, just like his dad.  I could go on about how great you are and how wonderful you have been.  You are the best, and have always been.  Even as a son, you were wonderful.  Grand mom and my mom have always told me about how sweet you were as a child.  Then you grew up and fixed things for Grand mom, spent time with her having Sunday dinners over her house.  I know how special those things are to a mother, and hope my son will grow up and become half the man you are.  Uncle Rabon, I won’t continue because I could go on forever with this letter, I just wanted to take the opportunity to let you know how extraordinary you are and have always been not only in my life but all of our lives.  When I look at all the people who come to visit you, I think of the relationship you had with them and can tell you had an impact on them at some time or another.  I know that God has a plan for all of us and don’t know how much longer he will bless us with your physical presence but I do know for sure, that this family would not be what is without you.  I just continue to try to look at the bright side of things so I know if anything should happen, you will always be with us in spirit and I have been a blessed to have you in my life.  I consider you the center of our family, you have been the one that every one loves and talks about.  I suppose everything happens for a reason, and I believe you Deb were brought together because she is terrific person and able to care for you in such a loving way.  I am glad you have her in your life.  I wish I had money to pay for her to take a vacation, because she sure deserves it.  Well my favorite Uncle take care and I will see you soon.  I love you!!!

Ayanna